Gang members arrested in dawn raids

Gang members were caught in their tracks by police this morning, as Camden officers swept 20 addresses across WC1, EC1 and N5 in early morning raids today.

The ‘Easy Cash’ or EC1 gang have been the subject of many concerns raised by the local community for their anti-social behaviour, drug dealing, robberies and knife possession.

Following Operation Venice which focussed on high-profile moped crime in the area, officers found that the culprits were also involved in a number of other offences, leading to this four month investigation, Operation Razor.

By 08:10am this morning, 12 males and one female between the ages of 16 and 30 had been arrested as part of the operation developed by Camden Neighbourhood Police Team and led by Inspector Michael O’Donoghue.

In the raids, a quantity of class A and B drugs, firearm ammunition, mobile phones and a quantity of cash have been recovered.

The last four months under Operation Razor have seen weapon sweeps on the south of the borough recover more than 100 weapons and police have reason to believe that the gang are linked with the Dorchestor hotel moped smash and grab earlier this year.

Information from the community has identified spots likely to be used to ‘stash’ weapons for use in criminality, this prompted painstaking searches that yielded significant results. Weapons uncovered by officers included Knives and Samurai swords.

Camden Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) South Cluster Inspector Michael O’Donoghue said: “The Easy Cash thought they were untouchable in their criminal activities and that the normal rules of society didn’t apply to them. The fact they chose to openly deal class-A drugs from a children’s play area shows the total disregard they had for the community they live in. This was a lengthy and complex investigation by South cluster NPT and detectives and it will show that there is no hiding place for those who choose to use violence and deal drugs on the streets of London.”

T/Detective Superintendent Raffaele D’Orsi said: “Through today’s operation I want to send a clear message to those who seek to peddle misery in the form of class A and B drugs or feel that the carriage or use of offensive weapons is acceptable, and that such criminality will not be tolerated in London.

“Belonging to any gang with criminal intent in Camden will put you firmly in the sights of my officers and no matter where you live we will relentlessly pursue you through proactive investigations such as this to keep the community safe.

“Members of gangs such as the ‘Easy Cash’ are invariably men and women of violence and form a criminal entity who engage in drug dealing, robbery and serious assaults. As such they should not be surprised when all opportunities are taken to bring them before the courts.”